What's Actually in a Real AC Tune-Up?

A real tune-up is 60–90 minutes of measurement, not a quick spray-down. The technician verifies the refrigerant charge (measuring superheat at the coil), tests the capacitor under load, measures static pressure across the system, records the temperature split between return and supply air, flushes the condensate drain, and tightens electrical connections.

The part that matters most is the deliverable: a photo log of those readings emailed to you, so you see the actual numbers instead of taking "it's fine" on faith.

Twice a year. A spring cooling tune-up before the first 100° week, and a fall heating check before the first cold snap. Our systems run 8–9 months a year, so they need more attention than systems up north.

If it's been more than a year, you're overdue. See how often to service in the Texas heat for the full cadence.

The cheap "$19 spring special" is almost always a sales call in disguise. A quick spray of the coil and a hunt for something expensive to sell you. There are no measurements, no photo log, and no honest report on what your system actually needs.

If a company can't show you the readings, it wasn't a tune-up. It was a foot in the door.

A weak capacitor reads fine to the eye but fails under load. Measurable months before it strands you. Caught at a spring tune-up, it's a small, planned part. The same capacitor failing at 2 a.m. on a 102° August Saturday is an emergency call and a sweltering night.

Low refrigerant from a small leak, a clogging drain, creeping static pressure. All show up in the numbers long before they become a no-cool emergency.

Ask any contractor three things: Do you measure refrigerant charge and static pressure? Do you test the capacitor under load? Do I get a photo log of the readings? If the answer is yes, you've found a real tune-up.

Our maintenance plan covers both seasonal tune-ups for $160 a year with priority scheduling. The cheapest HVAC money you'll spend.